NRL player David Nofoaluma used an old-school trick to earn a nomination for The Frownlow Medal when he turned up to training hungover. While his NRL colleagues are earning nominations for COVID-19 breaches, Nofoaluma employed a tried and true tactic to stake a claim for the most prestigious prize in Australian sport.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern-day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while AFL player Elijah Taylor is the most recent recipient.
Nofoaluma reportedly arrived at training hungover after attending a wedding the night before. He was not suspended or fined but was sent home and later dumped from the team’s leadership group. He now joins a very, very long list of Frownlow nominees who were part of a football leadership group.
Fortunately for the winger, he won’t have to attend training the morning after the awards night for The Frownlow Medal and The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame, which will be held later this year.
Image: NuNa
The Frownlow Medal 